Films/DVD Asylum

I was completely underwhelmed

71.108.142.163

tunenut

A

In Reply to: RE: "Killing Them Softly:" popcorn film of the year. Ray Liotta, usually posted by tinear on December 18, 2012 at 16:54:01

It has all the right ingredients and some fine actors. But good dark movies, going back to 40s noir, up to Tarantino, are about great sharp dialogue.

There are conversations that try to be sharp and witty, but it almost all fell flat for me, except for Brad Pitt. It was all wannabe stylish slice of lowlife culture, but it was merely competent. Not terrible, but nothing I would see again.

Follow Ups:

That's why I said, "popcorn." I was entertained, not much more. STRONG agreement on the dialogue: - tinear 18:32:10 12/18/12 (6)
Tarantino writes the best in the business, bar none. But, that would be comparing diamonds to coal. I thought the guy from the Sopranos was okay, but w/so much screen time, you expect a more memorable character.
Liotta should get an Oscar nod for Supporting Actor. I think he was that strong in a limited role. I truly felt his pain.
- Popcorn if you wanted to blow chunks....this was not "entertaining". - mr grits 10:27:24 12/19/12 (0)
  It was a chore to get through the whole thing from boring beginnings to violent middle to boring endings.
- But, a day later and the political message of the film has come a bit more into focus: it does have a - tinear 09:19:50 12/19/12 (4)
  complexity missing from most crime films, the notable exception being, "The Godfather" series with the stated view that governments are as violent and corrupt as the Mafia.
  - RE: But, a day later and the political message of the film has come a bit more into focus: it does have a - Jazz Inmate 10:20:37 12/19/12 (3)
    I think you need to rewatch The Godfather films again, if the overarching message you got out of it was "governments are as violent and corrupt as the Mafia".
    -------------
    
    We must be the change we wish to see in the world. -Gandhi
    - No. YOU need to. The corrupt politicians and police were specifically shown to be similar to the Mafia. You - tinear 11:54:23 12/19/12 (2)
      may not agree with Coppola's message, but that was it. It specifically was said by Michael to his wife in the first film. Too bad you missed the central point.
      - No, they weren't similar at all. The legit power brokers weren't motivated by respect, heritage or family ties - Jazz Inmate 14:37:49 12/19/12 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: No. YOU need to. The corrupt politicians and police were specifically shown to be similar to the Mafia. You posted by tinear on December 19, 2012 at 11:54:23
        
        The mafia power structure was portrayed as more honorable in that regard, but there was still a constant wish to go "legit" in that Vito wanted Michael to be a senator or congressman and Michael himself kept trying to put himself in a position to get out of his criminal activities.
        
        Frankly, I think the movie at its core was about the eroding of family values in America. Vito was totally motivated by doing the right thing for his family, from avenging his father's and brothers' deaths in Sicily to providing for his family in New York. Michael had similar motivations but he was never able to reconcile his power with his American wife (you have actually used a line from a conversation between them as your thesis for the entire saga) and ended up destroying his family and killing his own brother.
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        We must be the change we wish to see in the world. -Gandhi
        
        I disagree, but you state your arguments well. nt - tinear 17:54:07 12/19/12 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: No, they weren't similar at all. The legit power brokers weren't motivated by respect, heritage or family ties posted by Jazz Inmate on December 19, 2012 at 14:37:49
        
        d
Nor would I see it again and still cautiously recommend it . . . - mr grits 18:11:10 12/18/12 (0)
Liotta was the high point for me. The dark humor was the fact that mobsters used a lawyer to haggle contract prices....they were so cheap.

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